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1863. 



THE ILLINOIS FAitMER. 



19 



Oyerman, Bragdon, Fell and Galusha. Dr. War- 

 der then read a most able and comprehensive 

 essaj on the cnltivation of the orchard. 



An animated discussion arose on this subject. 

 Some contending for the constant culture of the 

 orchard, after it came into a bearing condition. 

 While Dr. Warder contended for a seeding of 

 clover. This would suit his system of close 

 planting and low heads. In fact after such an or- 

 chard comes in full bearing, it will so shade the 

 ground that little other crops could be grown. 

 ' Mr. Minier would not plow an orchard, but 

 mulch or seed down the clover and turn in the 

 hogs. 



Mr. Flagg said a gentleman of Alton had tried 

 lime on his orchard without any perceptible re- 

 sults, but with clover the result was perceptible 

 in a short time, proving an advantage. 



Dr. Warder had seen good results in the or- 

 chard, but generally after turning under a heavy 

 growth of grass. This course is popular in 

 Pennsylvania, and it has been found profitable. 



The essays of Dr. Warder and of Mr. Minkler 

 were adopted. 



The Kockford Horticultural Society invited 

 the Society to hold its next fair in Rockford, 

 which invitation was accepted and the Executive 

 Committee directed to fix the time. 



THIED DAYS PKOCEEDINGS. 



This mornings the first thing in order was the 

 reading of an essay by J. T. Little, of Dixon, 

 on the currant. Mr. L. has had a large exper- 

 ience with both the old and new sorts ; but he 

 places the Red Dutch currant at the head of the 

 list. After the reading, several took part in the 

 discussion. The points made were, that the 

 red Dutch was the best of all for common use 

 and for wine. The black Naples, generally 

 known as the black English, was highly recom- 

 mended for jelly and wine for medicinal purpo- 

 ses. The leaves were valuable for sore throats. 

 But few persons will eat the fruit on account of 

 its musky flavor, yet for its valuable qualities in 

 the domestic materia medica, it should be more 

 extensively planted. It is readily propagated 

 from cuttings, but is not so hardy as other cur- 

 rants — needs careful pruning and a sheltered sit- 

 uation. 



No one recommended the planting of currants 

 nearer than four feet each way, and most mem- 

 bers recommended four by five, and a few four 

 by six feet. This latter distance we have found 

 the best. Mr. Fell, however, plants his rows 

 six feet wide, and three feet in the rows, and 



adds to this an intermediate row of dwarf ap- 

 ples and pears. These will shade the ground, 

 and partially the currant, which is desirable. 

 Thus far his plantation has done well, but we 

 apprehend that in a few years it will be too 

 much crowded. 



The Victoria was considered valuable for its 

 late ripening, after the other currants were gone. 

 Among white currants the white Dutch andwhite 

 grape are the best, but neither of them more 

 than moderatively productive. There is a Yel- 

 low flowering black currant introducel by the 

 explorers, Lewis and Clark, from the Rocky 

 Mountain range, and called the large fruited 

 Missouri. It is said to be a profuse bearer, with 

 qualities similar to the black Naples, with the 

 addition of being as ornamental as the common 

 yellow flowering, which is so desirable for the 

 aroma of its flowers in early spring. The presi- 

 dent dries it in sugar, and uses it in puddings in 

 place of the Zantee currant, and considers it 

 equally valuable. It should have a more exten- 

 sive trial. 



VARIETIES OP GRAPES. 



Dr. Shroder said he would make a distinction 

 between wine grapes and table grapes. This 

 was assented to, and table grapes first taken up, 

 when the Doctor nominated the Concord as the 

 most valuable and hardy ; will grow anywhere 

 with or without much care ; is vigorous and 

 always healthy ; must not be cut back too 

 much; wants room; it bears early; before eat- 

 ing should lay in the house two or three days, 

 when it will be found much more delicate ; this 

 gives it a valuable shipping quality. Andrews 

 said its season was too short at Rockford« This 

 is one drawback, as it can only be used from the 

 vines some six weeks, but its keeping qualities 

 does not appear to have been very fully tested, 

 and we see no rea&on why it may not keep well. 

 It was unanimously voted a place at the head of 

 valuable table grapes. 



HASTrORD PnoLIFIC. 



This valuable early grape came up next. Its 

 season is short, but being one of the earliest, 

 cannot be dispensed with It is hardy and pro- 

 ductive — not quite as good in flavor as Concord, 

 having a thicker skin. It ripens during August, 

 and hangs a long time on the vines. Dr. Schro- 

 der next called up * 



HEEBEMONT. ". 



The Doctor said it was a good table grape, as 

 good if not better than the Delaware, and moch 



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